Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1018  Because...

The world flashed around Sylas.

He could feel it intimately, going from a place he had absolute freedom in to one where one layer of chains after another fell upon him. He was leaving a place where Luck shined down brightly upon him, only to enter a world where he was an inferior being, where Mother Nature didnʼt look down upon him with nearly the same fondness as everyone else.

After feeling the difference once, feeling it again was so much realer. He was being stripped of his Overlord status once again and thrown into a new box.

But he understood why the world worked this way, and also why the Arcane Madness called this system impotent…

It was too nice.

Everyone was placed into their own little boxes and told to play in the sand. They were protected from outsiders for the most part and allowed to grow at their own pace.

Earth was just an example of how no wall was perfectly impenetrable. But Sylas doubted that other Summoned Worlds had to deal with nearly the same trauma and baggage.

Sylas threw all of this to the back of his mind, using the streaming space to feel his Progenitor Flame Ability far more intimately. What was the use of worrying about Overlord status? The guild definitely had a method to deal with that—it was just a matter of whether he could earn it or not.

As for the trial and the trouble that was to come, Sylas hadnʼt really thought much about it. That was because making a plan now wouldnʼt work out well for him since he knew too little about the Golden Grove.

What he was banking on right now was the fact the merchant guild would place profits above all else. However, he was also well aware that he was taking the risk of putting his life in the hands of others right now.

It was a calculated risk nonetheless. The amount of money he had spent was substantial, but only to him. It was no more than a rounding error to the Skai 11331 Galaxy as a whole, let alone the Golden Grove.

For him to experience a punishment much worse than probation or a temporary imprisonment would take some extraordinarily bad Luck. And while he was in the bad graces of the All-Seeing Eye, he still had Progenitor Merit in the eyes of the main system of the universe.

Plus… he did have one trump card he just might be able to rely on.

He never used it in the Skai 11331 Galaxy, but it was about time he took the risk.

Of course, if it wasnʼt strictly necessary, he would continue to keep it tucked away for the time being.

The world suddenly solidified, and Sylas found himself on a platform that was, once again, gold.

For a merchant guild, this Golden Grove certainly wasted money on a lot of superficial things. You would think that merchants would know how to be judicious with their money.

”Back already?”

The voice of a woman wearing a pair of heavy glasses came from behind a desk. She seemed normal enough, but when Sylas sent a glance over, he could feel a peculiar aura coming from her too—one that reminded him of a powerful steed.

The room was mostly taken up by the elevated platform of the teleportation pad. But to the side, there was a desk that looked like it was for reception. Sylas could also sense several networks of Runes behind there, both used to operate the formation and to record information.

The Runes reflected in his eyes as he curiously looked them over. This was once again a new Rune language that he wasnʼt used to, and every time he saw one, it felt like he was swept into a new world of fascination all over again.

The woman suddenly looked up with a pair of sharp eyes before the Inspector could reply. A pulse of Will was sent out, blocking Sylasʼ senses, but Sylas only blinked for a moment before looking up at the woman.

”Hm?” She seemed surprised as well, though Sylas wasnʼt sure why. It was she who was blocking him.

She hadnʼt attacked his Will just now, just blocked his probe. It didnʼt feel very aggressive.

”Whoʼs this?” she asked, turning to the Inspector.

”I was about to tell you before you interrupted. Heʼs been found in violation of—.”

”Forget all of that. Where is he from?”

”… Skai 11331 Galaxy.”

The woman flicked a finger and a series of Runes flashed.

”Are you sure?” she asked, frowning.

”Youʼre the one who sent me there just now. Did you already forget?”

”I know things by coordinates, not their names or their power.”

”Yes, yes, Iʼm sure.”

The woman looked up from the Runes flashing by. They oddly reflected in her thick glasses. And then, her eyes shifted to Lorien.

Lorienʼs face was incredibly pale, and she was doing her best to control her breathing. Compared to Sylas, who had begun scanning the Runes around him immediately, there was a striking difference.

”And, let me guess, sheʼs from the same galaxy?”

”She is. Why?”

The womanʼs eyes narrowed as she looked to Sylas.

”Iʼll only ask you this once. Who are you?”

”Sylas Grimblade.”

”Donʼt be cheeky with me. Why did you force your way here? Who sent you?”

Sylas fell into silence, finding this interesting. He had expected to leap through many more hurdles to get to this point, but this felt… interesting.

”Iʼm from a world that only recently completed their Summoning. The process is still ongoing. I donʼt plan on telling you what world that is, if thatʼs what youʼre asking.”

”Iʼm not asking that, and youʼre smart enough to know that Iʼm not either. But touché on your answer nonetheless. Youʼre good at avoiding the actual important questions, but I donʼt really have the patience for it. So Iʼll ask you again. Why did you force your way here?”

”Because it was convenient.”

The Inspectorʼs lip twitched.